Astorino to detail Playland management agreement Thursday

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino has scheduled an announcement for Thursday at 11:30 a.m. to release the terms of the asset management agreement he has negotiated with Sustainable Playland. Astorino has chosen the group to take over historic Playland Park in Rye and overhaul the offerings to make it a 12-month draw to residents.

The administration’s selection of Sustainable Playland, a Rye-based nonprofit that plans to bring in for-profit partners to run parts of the park, has caused a clash with legislators, who have argued their approval is needed for any such major change. County Attorney Robert Meehan gave an opinion that Astorino can sign the agreement unilaterally but the Board of Legislators must approve any major physical changes to the park.

The board has been reviewing the plans of Sustainable Playland and other groups interested in taking over the park and has an audit underway of the park finances.